Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Monday, March 22, 2010

I have had some odd barber shop experiences in the past, but this one is truly unique! Upon arriving in St. Louis I began searching for an establishment I could make my every other week trimming trip to. I had been paying about $1.50 in the Philippines for a haircut, and so the $12-$13 prices seemed pretty high to me. After several bad haircuts, and even an attempt to learn to do it myself, I found a place that offered a $7 cut. I went there after a days visiting and there were several men waiting so I decided to come back the next day. The barber seemed friendly enough, and had some religious decorations around, and after the haircut, he refused to let me pay him, saying he hadn't really cut much. Great! The next time I went, I told him I was a preacher and invited him to church. He stopped what he was doing, and told me this "I thought you were a tax man! I stayed up at night trying to think of a way to tell you never to come back here! I hated you! You intimidated me!"

Whoa! Not the kind of effect I was hoping to have on people! He felt pretty bad and then began to share with me about some family members with some pretty serious medical problems. I told him I would pray for them. He asked me if I had any pamphlets I could leave at the barber shop for the patrons, I gladly went to the car and got a stack and laid them on the counter, he said "No! Go and give them to each person! Have some guts! and anytime you want to come in here and talk to any of the guys in the barber shop you can."

Having been duly scolded, I went to each person and invited them out, and spoke with one man at length, he came that Sunday night!

Anytime I go in, he usually calls someone over for me to talk to and I get to invite them out to church!

Mat 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.

According to Matthew 10:1, Judas, one of the twelve, had been given power to cast out unclean spirits and to heal. He became an example of betrayal and his name is synonymous with being a traitor. What happened? He was given power, but didn't use it. Instead of casting out the unclean spirits, he became a friend to them and they entered him....satan entered into him.(Luke 22:3)

He healed others, but didn't heal himself from the sick heart, and covetous spirit.

He was commanded to take no gold or silver or scrip for your purses, but later that is what concerned him. He held the bag, he betrayed Jesus for money.

He had power to resist the devil but he didn't use it.

The same one that was casting out devils earlier was now taking them in!

The same one that was raising the dead, was dying on the inside!

The same one that was cleansing the lepers was becoming defiled himself!

He preached to others, but didn't listen to his own message!

He yielded his power to the enemy and became his pawn. He gave him his keys.

God gives me power over the enemy and power over myself, but I must not squander it.
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About Us

My wife and I were missionaries for New Testament Christian Churches of America. We were located in Angeles City, Philippines for nearly 4 1/2 years. We are now pastoring a church in St. Louis, Missouri.